Update - Goins found guilty in rape of cousin

Published: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 3:27 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 3:27 p.m.

A jury in New Hanover County found a convicted felon guilty Wednesday of raping a female cousin in 2010, five days after being released from serving 11 years in prison for a throat slashing in 1996.

After a week of testimony and six hours of deliberation, Harold Goins Jr., 37, was found guilty of kidnapping, rape, two counts of sexual offense, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was found not guilty of pointing a firearm during the rape.

The 27-year-old victim testified that Goins, who she hadn’t seen in 15 years, contacted her “out of the blue” in July 2010 saying he wanted to stop by her apartment and visit with her. When he arrived hours earlier than planned with another cousin in tow, she said, she let the two in. About 15 minutes later, the other cousin left, leaving Goins and the victim alone, she said. At first the two talked about their family, but when the victim went into her bedroom to change clothes, Goins came in and confronted her with a knife and raped her.

Following the assault, she said, he forced her to shower and clean up any evidence. The woman said Goins had a sock containing a gun tied to the inside of his pants, and before leaving the house he told her he’d use it on her if she called police.

The same jury that heard the case will now hear evidence about whether Goins should be charged as a violent habitual felon. If he is found guilty, the sentence he receives increases. That hearing is set for Thursday morning.

Goins is currently serving 15 years in federal prison on a charge of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the rape case. During questioning by police for the rape, Goins admitted possessing a firearm and police confiscated it.

Federal court records show that in 1996 Goins was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for grabbing a female defense attorney from behind and slitting her throat as she exited the New Hanover County courthouse.

After serving 11 years in prison on that charge, Goins was released July 16, 2010. By July 25 he was back in custody accused of raping his cousin at knifepoint inside an apartment on Shipyard Boulevard on July 21.

Because of the notoriety of Goins’ 1996 crime, a jury from Sampson County was brought in to hear the case.

<p>A jury in New Hanover County found a convicted felon guilty Wednesday of raping a female cousin in 2010, five days after being released from serving 11 years in prison for a throat slashing in 1996. </p><p>After a week of testimony and six hours of deliberation, Harold Goins Jr., 37, was found guilty of kidnapping, rape, two counts of sexual offense, and assault with a deadly weapon. He was found not guilty of pointing a firearm during the rape. </p><p>The 27-year-old victim testified that Goins, who she hadn't seen in 15 years, contacted her “out of the blue” in July 2010 saying he wanted to stop by her apartment and visit with her. When he arrived hours earlier than planned with another cousin in tow, she said, she let the two in. About 15 minutes later, the other cousin left, leaving Goins and the victim alone, she said. At first the two talked about their family, but when the victim went into her bedroom to change clothes, Goins came in and confronted her with a knife and raped her.</p><p>Following the assault, she said, he forced her to shower and clean up any evidence. The woman said Goins had a sock containing a gun tied to the inside of his pants, and before leaving the house he told her he'd use it on her if she called police. </p><p>The same jury that heard the case will now hear evidence about whether Goins should be charged as a violent habitual felon. If he is found guilty, the sentence he receives increases. That hearing is set for Thursday morning. </p><p>Goins is currently serving 15 years in federal prison on a charge of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the rape case. During questioning by police for the rape, Goins admitted possessing a firearm and police confiscated it. </p><p>Federal court records show that in 1996 Goins was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill for grabbing a female defense attorney from behind and slitting her throat as she exited the New Hanover County courthouse. </p><p>After serving 11 years in prison on that charge, Goins was released July 16, 2010. By July 25 he was back in custody accused of raping his cousin at knifepoint inside an apartment on Shipyard Boulevard on July 21.</p><p>Because of the notoriety of Goins' 1996 crime, a jury from Sampson County was brought in to hear the case. </p><p>F.T. Norton: 343-2070</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @ftnorton</p>